Since he became Scotland's king more than 700 years ago, Robert Bruce has occupied a heroic place in Scottish history. Yet behind this legendary figure is a complex, and in many ways more intriguing, picture; Bruce not only led his nation to a famous victory over the English in 1314 at Bannockburn, he also overcame enormous odds to win power and achieve Scottish independence. With photographs on nearly every page—most of them in color, and some filling two pages—this illustrated history from the author and photographer who produced In the Footsteps of William Wallace takes the reader on a journey from Bruce's birth in southwest Scotland to his kingship, his military triumphs, and finally to his death as King of Scotland in 1329.